OUR PEOPLE: MEET ROBBIE BROWN, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT & EVENTS

Our people are our greatest asset, and they each have a unique story to tell. Robbie Brown, Executive Assistant and Events for our Alcohol & Coffee team shares what it is like working at Amatil.

What is your favourite beverage and who would you share it with?

I have two favourite Amatil beverages. My first favourite is Mount Franklin Sparkling water, which I drink every day! My second favourite is our Ratu Signature Liqueur Rum, I often share this (best served with ice) with my bestie.

Tell us about your career path before joining Coca-Cola Amatil?

My first ever job was delivering the Daily Telegraph for my local newsagency. I was only 15 years old and I started at 5am every day. It took almost two hours to walk around my area and hand deliver all 48 newspapers. It was a massive highlight of my career (at that stage) when I got my driver's licence and I was able to drive the newspaper van.

My other pursuits before joining the team at Amatil included baking for Donut King, working as a 'check-out chick' at Coles, and in Reception.

The shortest job I had was as a Labourer complete with tradie ute and steep cap boots for a total of eight days. All the outdoor air and mud wasn't particularly my scene - lol.

Why did you want to work with the team at Amatil?

In 2006, one of my girlfriends worked as a Team Leader in the Neverfail department of our call centre. She would always talk about the people she worked with, the 'fun days' that they had and the positive work environment. She was always very happy and proud to say to her friends and family - 'I work for Coke' (Coca-Cola Amatil). I went along for the interview and absolutely fell in love with the call centre environment.

What does the Executive Assistant & Events role for Alcohol & Coffee involve?

I started working with my Manager Sally (picture), in August 2014. My first day fell on my birthday! I absolutely love the diversity in my role - one day I am in the office completing admin and the next I am on the red carpet at the Australia Rugby Awards.

How does the Alcohol & Coffee team partner with the broader business?

The Alcohol & Coffee team is such fun. Because of our diverse portfolio we had loads of fantastic brand partners that we work closely with, as well as our friends in Australian Beverages. I had a great experience collaborating with them, and other teams on our 2018 Investor Day, showcasing our terrific products to guests.

What is the team's area of focus for the next 12 months?

We have so many exciting new products coming up. We just released our new Toki whisky and our latest Canadian Club & Dry premium 9%. In 2018 we moved into our new space at Coca-Cola Place which features some terrific networking spaces - I look forward to the many events we will have there.

Our People Pact represents the commitment made between Amatil and our employees. Which pillar of the People Pact resonates with you the most and why?

The pillar that resonates with me is 'Lead and Inspire'. For me, this means to lead by example, be authentic and be helpful. I find that sitting back and focusing only on your personal goals does not benefit your team. By empowering others, you not only engage your work colleagues, but also inspire them to bring their authentic selves to work every day. Helpfulness means you don't have to know everything, you just have to work with people who are good at receiving and also giving help. Helpfulness can be the key to success.

What are your top three tips for being a positive role model at Amatil?

Own it - for me that's about accepting everything about myself, both my strengths and weaknesses, and live life without regrets or apology. Then you have the ability to take control of your life, and not allow your weakness to control you.

Good communication - talking AND listening to people. When a work colleague needs to have a chat, I often listen to what's going on in their life and try to understand how I can help. Communication is also part of networking. I've been told that I'm good at keeping in touch with people. It's a part of my personality to always catch-up with work colleagues just to touch base.

Make the time for greater causes - I work Monday to Friday and also have my weekend gigs but I still try and find the time for good causes outside of work. This includes raising money for charity and helping people in need. Last year I was involved in the "WE TEST" campaign spreading the positive message of regular HIV testing within the LGBTI community.

How will you enjoy your next annual leave day?

I will be spending my next annual leave day hosting a pole dancing competition. Outside of work I host and MC at events. I really should plug my Instagram @Robbieyourhost. My cousin own and operate the local pole dancing studio and are great advocates for health, wellbeing and fitness. It's so fabulous to be a part of their annual showcase featuring people of all shapes, ages and sizes.

What is your #onlyatAmatil moment and why did it make a difference to you?

In 2017, when marriage equality was a big discussion, the iconic Kings Cross Coca-Cola sign 'came out' and supported the 'Yes' vote. The original sign said "say yes to the taste you love", and then it was transformed, complete with a rainbow coloured Coke bottle, to "say yes to love." My #onlyatamatil moment happened when I saw the sign as I knew that the company I so proudly work for, was also proud of me, its employee, too.